Michigan State 24-17 Purdue (Nov 22, 2024) Game Summary

EAST LANSING, Mich. — — Aidan Chiles threw for two scores in the first half to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State stuck to hitting Purdue 24-17 Friday evening.

The Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) are one win away from being eligible for a bowl game with first-year coach Jonathan Smith and play Rutgers at home in the final game of the regular season.

“It means a lot,” Chiles said. “We should have been here a long time ago.”

The Boilermakers (1-10, 0-8) have lost 10 straight games and will need to pull off a stunning upset against rival and Indiana in fifth place on track to avoid matching a school record 11th loss under second-year coach Ryan Walters.

Pressure to perform is expected, Walter acknowledged.

“It comes with the territory and sitting in the chair I’m in,” he said.

Michigan State scored three touchdowns and a field goal on its four first-half drives to take a 24-3 lead, then struggled to move the ball in the second half and Purdue nearly took advantage.

“It’s a little disappointing to come out hot and the next half look like we’ve never played football before,” Chiles said.

With a chance to drive for a game-tying touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, Hudson Card threw a pass to Max Klare that circled around and was picked off by linebacker Jordan Turner at the Michigan State 31.

Card gave the Boilermakers a chance to tie the game on their next drive, but Jahmal Edrine dropped a long pass while running all alone behind the secondary and they ended up turning it over on downs at midfield with 3:05 left.

Chiles missed his first chance to seal the win on a third-down run when he went out of bounds instead of cutting to likely gain a first down and keep the clock running.

“I had to get a first down and I thought I did,” he said.

On fourth-and-1, Chiles’ sneak was spotted just past the stick and he was able to kneel to run out the remaining time.

Chiles finished 15 of 31 for 159 rushing yards and threw multiple touchdown passes for the third time this season.

He threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Montorie Foster midway through the first quarter and a 20-yard touchdown pass to Nate Carter with 41 seconds left in the first half. Carter also had a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Card was 26 of 47 for a career-high 342 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Klare had seven receptions for 83 yards and a 7-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to bring the Boilermakers within a touchdown.

The takeaway

Purdue: Walters was expected to struggle, coming off a four-win debut season that included a win over the Hoosiers, but the Boilermakers were competitive in just two of the 10 games they lost.

“My focus right now is on Indiana and that’s what I can control,” Walters said. “I don’t feel any pressure other than trying to win a ballgame.”

Michigan State: Smith’s team has slightly exceeded low expectations, and the program would get a much-needed boost by earning a postseason berth with another win.

Next

Purdue: Fortunately, the season ends on Saturday as heavy underdogs against Indiana on the road.

Michigan State: Host the Scarlet Knights, who need a win to end Smith’s first season at a bowl game.

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